My squad patrolled Baghdad around the clock with virtually no rest for 7 days and nights in January 2005, helping secure the 1st General Elections of the new Iraqi govt. With 100% voter turnout by a people who had lived under Saddam Hussein's dictatorship, the election went off without a hitch.
I consider that fighting for the oppressed, which leads me to this story:
A couple of months ago the company I work for required us to participate in DEI training.
I spoke up in the meeting, saying that while its true that you should come to work as your 'true self' we should also try not to box ourselves into any single identity. In other words, we are more than whatever group we may belong to. I used myself as an example, saying that I am more than just a veteran. I am also a Christian, a husband and father, a UT Vols fan, among many other things.
For that, I was told my one of my co-workers that I 'don't know what someone may have went through to fight for their rights'. I was also called an 'oppressor' by my manager because I happen to have white skin.
That training caused a permanent rift in our team. I will never forget what they said.
DEI is without a doubt divisive and destructive.